LOGINQuentin ladled a bowl of soup for her without thinking. He'd barely set it down in front of her when Talia tugged at his sleeve. "Sit."He sat, then dragged his chair right up next to hers until their shoulders were nearly touching. Talia turned to look at him and realized just how close he was. If he leaned in even a fraction more, they'd be kissing.She held his gaze, her voice rough. "Quentin, I can't keep this from you. Christian and I aren't actually divorced yet."His expression didn't change. Under the table, he found her cold fingers and wrapped them completely in his hand. "I know."She stared at him. "How?"He reached up and gave her cheek a gentle pinch. "I've been paying attention to everything going on with you. Always."The words moved her, but the worry on her face didn't fade.He tightened his grip on her hand. "What is it? Still worried he won't agree to the divorce?"She nodded. "Yeah."The divorce had already dragged through multiple rounds, and every time t
Talia leaned into Quentin's arms as he kissed her, his mouth insistent against hers. He deepened the kiss, his tongue slipping past her lips as he stole the breath from her.She tilted her head back, exposing the pale line of her throat. He trailed his mouth down her neck, and a low sound escaped her before she could stop it. A current ran through her whole body.Quentin was burning up. Every part of him wanted to keep going.But Talia pressed both hands against his chest just in time. "Quentin, stop."His lips landed on the back of her hand instead. Something flickered behind his eyes, and a muscle jumped at his temple before he managed to speak."Okay. Whatever you say. I'll behave."He was still holding her up, his body radiating heat, but he forced everything down. Seeing him actually listen, so easily and without complaint, made her chest tighten.After a few seconds, she pushed at him lightly. "Put me down."He rested his forehead against hers and nudged it gently. "Tell
Garrett nodded and said, "Yeah. I know."He then headed for the front door. Quentin followed him despite being told not to.When Garrett reached the entrance, he stopped and turned around. He looked at Quentin for a moment and hesitated before he finally spoke. "Come for dinner on the second."Quentin blinked in confusion. It took him a second to understand, and then it hit him all at once.In Jarrowind, it was customary for a woman's boyfriend to visit her family's home on the second day of the new year. If Garrett was extending that invitation to him, it meant that he'd truly accepted him."I'll be there," Quentin said quickly. "I won't be late."Garrett left without saying another word.Quentin stood at the door watching him go. The moment Garrett disappeared through the front gate, Quentin was practically sprinting back to Talia. He grabbed her from her chair, lifted her clean off the ground, and spun her around.His voice rang through the room, bright and unrestrained. "Ta
Quentin turned to look at Talia the moment he took the envelope. She was already looking back at him. But where her eyes held surprise, his were bright with something closer to tears.Seeing him like that stirred something deep within her. Quentin was one of the proudest men she'd ever known, and he could have had anyone he wanted.Yet he'd chosen her, a woman who'd already been through a divorce and had a child. Part of her wondered if that was even fair to him.But then she thought about it differently. She had feelings for him too, and that was enough.Her gaze softened, and she smiled at him. The sight of that smile caught him beneath the ribs, as if his heart had missed a beat and couldn't quite recover.Paige walked over with an envelope of her own and held it out to Quentin. "This one's from me."He was clearly surprised, but he took it happily. "The fact that you and Garrett are giving me these means you've accepted me. That means more than I can say. Thank you, both of y
Talia had feelings for Quentin. To him, knowing that felt better than anything.But even though every single word she'd said was true, Quentin still couldn't stand having her out in front of him like that. He stepped forward and slowly eased her behind him again.He was about to say something when Garrett cut him off. "We'll talk inside."Paige and Maeve both let out a visible breath of relief.Garrett turned and walked into the house without saying another word. Paige immediately waved the two of them forward. "Talia, Mr. Henderson, come on. Get in here."Maeve bounded down the steps and appeared at Talia's side and hooked a small finger around hers. She tipped her face up to look at her. "Aunt Talia, Dad really does love you. He's just…"Talia smiled softly. "I know, sweetheart. I know."She reached up and smoothed a hand over the top of Maeve's head.Maeve beamed. "Go on in. If Dad tries to yell at you or give you a hard time, I've got your back."Then she added quickly, "I
Talia and Quentin walked toward the front door hand in hand, and by then, Garrett and the others had already spotted them.Maeve stepped out from behind Paige and called out instinctively, "Aunt Talia."The worry in the young girl's voice was impossible to miss. It wasn't hard to imagine the kind of mood Garrett must have been in for the 20-odd hours Talia had been gone.The closer they got, the more nervous Talia became. She tried to pull her hand free, but Quentin's grip held firm, his fingers locked around hers like a vice.When they reached the front steps, Quentin stopped. He made no effort to hide anything. He stood there openly holding Talia's hand, his expression serious, and addressed Garrett directly. "Hey, Garrett."But Garrett didn't acknowledge him.Quentin wasn't bothered. He turned to Paige instead. "Hey, Paige."Paige, at least, greeted him warmly. She smiled brightly and said, "Good. You're back safe. That's what matters."Maeve's eyes hadn't left Talia once, h
"It's not that he's afraid we'll steal her away. He clearly just doesn't want to introduce her to us.""Exactly. Mr. Henderson always likes to keep things close to the chest."The people who came over all had business dealings with Quentin, so a bit of joking wasn't out of line. But Quentin took t
At noon, Henry got off work a bit early. He was already waiting at the pediatric surgery department before 12:00 pm.Talia had admitted a young boy with severe burns. After completing the admission paperwork and writing orders, she went to wash her hands and remove her white coat.Henry waited pat
Talia returned to work after tending to her injury that afternoon.That evening, after work, Henry drove Talia back to the Stewart residence.Talia reached for the car door, but Henry had already gotten out of the car. He opened the car door for her, offered her his hand, and said, "I'll give you
Talia had thought about this issue while in the holding cell, and she was indeed worried. Christian's anger was understandable, and fortunately, the police hadn't pursued the matter further.Still, thinking about it made her nervous."It won't happen again." Talia had to promise.Another long sil







